The present invention relates to an apparatus for washing golf balls, more particularly to an automatic washer providing a timed cleaning cycle with capability to provide a multiple magazine for cleaning.
Golfing is a pleasurable sport enjoyed by millions around the world every year. A substantially white ball is played onto a green field toward a hole. Once the ball is significantly advanced from the vicinity of the player, it can be more easily located if it is clean. Further, it is advantageous to the travel of the ball being free from debris.
The present inventors have recognized the need for an automatic golf ball washer that does not require one to hold down a button to clean. The present inventors have recognized the need for an automatic golf ball washer that has the capability to wash two or more golf balls at once.
The present invention provides an automatic golf ball washer that includes a substantially enclosed body that can receive one or more golf balls onto a rotary carriage that spins the golf ball within a supply of washing fluid and contacts the moving golf ball with stationary brushes within the body.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an automatic golf ball washer that is cylinder in shape and held vertical, with dimensions about 5 inches×10 inches. The automatic golf ball washer is mounted to a golf cart, front or back on any 1×1 support bar. Located on the top third portion of the cylinder is a housing for the motor and electronics. Located below is a water/soap container and a golf ball carriage that hold 1-2 golf balls. Located behind the cylinder and secured to the back portion of the unit is a plunger handle that when pushed down, opens the bottom portion to allow the golfer to place 1-2 golf balls inside. Spring loaded, the bottom portion moves upward to secure the cylinder tight.
Located on top of the unit is a button, that when pressed, engages the wash cycle for up to 12 seconds or less, i.e., a controlled timing. During the wash cycle, the golf balls rotate clockwise, pressing against a rubber fabric that cleans the golf balls. The golf balls are also rotated by a rubber flap mounted to the back of the wash cylinder allowing the golf balls to easily flip for cleaning.
Optionally, located above each unit is an LCD screen for digital advertising. The LCD screen is attached to units specifically sold to golf courses with fleet carts. Units sold to the private golf cart owner can come without the LCD screen.
According to a second embodiment, a brush is provided within the reservoir and a brush is provided above the carriage or ball tray.
The present invention discloses an automatic timed golf ball cleaner. One would simply push the button once, and the cleaning cycle starts and stops automatically.
The present invention version spins the entire carriage that the ball sits on, providing the possibility to clean two balls at a time. This also allows the brush material to be swapped out easily for replacements, and also provides a much more thorough cleaning cycle.
The present invention is an advancement over the art in at least the following ways:
Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings.
A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.
U.S. Provisional Application 62/029,189, filed Jul. 25, 2014 is herein incorporated by reference.
A first embodiment is disclosed in
The body 12 includes an actuator 36 for opening and closing the reservoir 26 with respect to the cover 16. The actuator 36 includes a push rod 40 and a push knob 46. The push rod 40 comprises a square cross-section. The push rod is guided through a square hole 40a in a cover mount 12a (see
The mounting apparatus 32 includes a stationary bracket 32a mounted to the cover mount 16a and an angle adjustable bracket 32b that is mounted to the stationary bracket via a pivot bolt 32c and a locking bolt 32d. The angle adjustable bracket includes a curved slot 32e. When the pivot bolt 32c and the locking bolt 32d are loosened, the angle adjustable bracket 32b can be pivoted about the pivot bolt 32c and the locking bolt relatively moves, although remaining stationary, through the curved slot as the curved slot moves with the pivoting of the angle adjustable bracket 32b. Once the angle is correctly adjusted the bolts 32c, 32d are tightened to lock the relative positions of the two brackets 32a, 32b. The bracket 32b is fastened to a clamping bracket 32f which tightly captures a canopy support post or the like on a golf cart or other structure. The ball washer can thus be adjusted in angle to be substantially vertical given an angled mounting post.
A ball cradle 80 is shown in
In order to guide the downward movement of the reservoir with respect to the cap, two guide rods 102, 104 are provided as shown in
In order for the reservoir to return to its closed operational position, two coil springs 106, 108 are provided as shown in
The plate 54 includes bosses 54a for screw mounting the motor 50 on one side and bosses 54b for screw mounting the brush 56 on the opposite side (see
A threaded drain opening 26c for receiving a plug 26d is provided on the bottom of the reservoir (see
The cover 16, the reservoir 26, the motor mount plate 54 and ball carriage 80 can all be composed of black UV ABS. Hardware can be aluminum, stainless steel or the like.
The ball cradle 280 includes a top plate 281, a central portion 282 for receiving the shaft 290 through a hole 283, curved sidewalls 284, 285 for guiding golf balls and bottom walls 286, 287 for supporting golf balls.
A further embodiment is disclosed in
The body 502 includes a knob 526 for opening and closing the lid 506 with respect to the housing 512. The knob 526 is fastened to the lid with a fastener. The knob 526 can be in the form of a golf ball, or an actual golf ball. The golf ball can have indicia on it identifying the golf ball manufacturer or any other business. This is for novelty and advertising purposes.
The mounting apparatus 507 includes a stationary bracket 540 mounted to the housing 512, by screws or other means, and an angle adjustable bracket 542. The angle adjustable bracket 542 is comprised of two mirror image configured members 542a, 542b. The bracket 542 is mounted to the stationary bracket 540 via a pivot bolt 543 and nut passed through aligned pivot holes 544 through both brackets 540, 542, and a locking bolt 545 and nut that can be inserted through selectable holes 546 through both brackets 540, 542 to set an angular orientation between the two brackets 540, 542. To adjust the angle between the brackets 540, 542, the bolt 543 is loose while the bolt 545 is not installed into the holes 546. The bracket 542 can be pivoted with respect to the bracket 540 until a selectable hole grouping 546 is aligned to receive the bolt 545 which is passed through the selected holes 546. Once the angle is correctly adjusted, the bolts 543, 545 and corresponding nuts are tightened to lock the relative positions of the two brackets 540, 542. Unlike the previous embodiment, a curved slot is not used to adjust the angle, rather a plurality of holes 546 are used between the brackets 540, 542 which align or register corresponding to incremental angular orientations of the bracket 542 with respect to the bracket 540.
The bracket 542 is clamped to a canopy support post or the like on a golf cart or other structure. The bracket 542 is clamped by two bolts and corresponding nuts (not shown) that span through upper holes 560 and lower holes 562 respectively and when tightened, clamps the canopy support post between the members 542a, 542b. The members 542a, 542b include inward facing ridges 566 that define, with inward facing walls 568, a rectangular space for capturing the canopy support post in a confined clamped area that prevents angular tilting of the bracket 542 on the canopy support post. The ball washing apparatus can thus be attached at an angle to be substantially vertical given an angled mounting post.
The gearmotor 590 is mounted to a bottom of the housing 512 by screws or other means. A cup shaped basin 604 has a cup shaped scrubbing pad 606 within. The basin is configured to hold cleaning fluid for washing the golf balls. The basin 604 includes a central pipe 610. The pad 606 includes a central hole for allowing the pipe to extend therethrough so that the pad can be fit snugly down onto the bottom of the basin and rising up along the walls of the basin. A rubber gasket 613 seals the lid 506 to an upper rim of the basin 604 when the lid is closed.
A ball paddle body 620 (
A cup shaped cover 650 is fastened to a bottom of the housing 512 and encloses the gearmotor 590 and electronics.
The paddles 620 are removable through the top by opening the lid 506 and unfastening the fastener 622. The pad 606 is then removable through the top, as is the basin 604. The basin pipe 610 slides upward over the shaft 624. The parts can be cleaned easily or replaced and reinstalled.
The lid 506, housing 512 and cover 650 are preferably impact and UV resistant plastic.
In operation, the basin 604 is filled with cleaning fluid, the lid 506 is opened, two golf balls are inserted into the wash basin 604 onto the scrubbing pad 606, each golf ball fit within two paddles 620a. The lid 506 is closed and the start button 580 is activated to begin a 15 second wash cycle. The wash cycle shuts off after 15 seconds.
From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.
The application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62/029,189, filed Jul. 25, 2014.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62029189 | Jul 2014 | US |